New Zealand's moment in the sun not far away
India Today
T20 World Cup: The New Zealand men's team has played four ICC limited-overs finals since 2000 but has ended up on the losing side each time. On Sunday, the Kiwis were defeated by India by 96 runs in a one-sided final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
If you’re still wondering how New Zealand lost so heavily in the T20 World Cup final, here’s some context: the Black Caps have now lost all three of their T20Is at this venue. Their biggest defeat by 168 runs also came here back in 2023, which is a story for another day.
For now, the focus has to be on the fact that they fell short of the final hurdle on Sunday. Historically, 2000 was the high point for New Zealand cricket, with the women’s team winning the ODI World Cup and the men’s team lifting the ICC Knockout Trophy. But over the past 25 years, the Kiwis have often struggled in limited-overs ICC events.
Yet, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. New Zealand has frequently been compared to South Africa for faltering in big moments, even though they have claimed a few ICC titles along the way. But just when hope seems to fade, magic often arrives and for the Kiwis, that magic may not be far off. With resilience and belief, the next breakthrough could be just around the corner.
2024 was a landmark year for New Zealand cricket, as the White Ferns lifted their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup trophy. The journey wasn’t easy—they had waited 15 long years for this triumph. Leading the charge was 35-year-old captain Sophie Devine, whose experience and determination proved decisive in the UAE.
Devine knew heartbreak firsthand, having been part of the 2009 and 2010 squads that finished as runners-up. It took another 14 years for her to finally taste victory, making her the oldest captain at the time to win a Women’s ICC trophy. Her story is one of resilience and patience.
Meanwhile, the men’s team, the Black Caps, have already lost two T20 World Cup finals. With New Zealand set to co-host the 2028 T20 World Cup, the stage is set for them to turn the tables. India became the first team to win the title at home, and the Kiwis could draw inspiration from Suryakumar Yadav’s men on how to handle the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd with high expectations.
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